6 Foods to Eat When You’re Feeling Blue

You're feeling down in the dumps, a little blue, a little blah. What sounds like the best thing to eat? Probably ice cream or nothing at all ... but that could eventually make you feel worse. Here's what you really should be eating instead.

Keep in mind, we're talking about every-day mild depression, not the kind of severe depression that requires medication and counseling.

Wild Salmon

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Why wild-caught salmon instead of farmed? Wild salmon is higher in those omega-3 and omega-6 fats Sacks and Katz talk about. They're also richer in a whole range of vitamins and minerals. This is because wild salmon eat what nature intended them to, while farmed salmon are fed corn and soy along with dyes to tint their flesh that pink color we expect to see in salmon.

Sardines

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Say sardines and you're probably thinking stinky fish from a can. But sardines can be delicious. Look for fillets tinned in olive oil, and make crostini by placing them on toasted bread with parsley or dill and a squirt of lemon juice.

Pasture Raised Eggs

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As with wild-caught salmon, eggs from pasture-raised chickens are higher in nutrition because they come from birds with an ideal, varied diet. They can be expensive, though. If they're going to bust your budget, conventional eggs are still a good choice.

Grass-Fed Beef

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Beef is another food that gets a big nutritional boost when it comes from a pasture-raised animal. The more grass (as opposed to corn) the animals eat, the higher their meat is in omega 3 fats and another healthy fat, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Steak too expensive? A hamburger, meatloaf, or stew meat are other great choices.

Dark Green Vegetables

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Dark green veggies like broccoli and brussels sprouts can also be mood boosters. If you're new to brussels sprouts, grate or slice them raw and toss with olive oil and lots of parmesan for an easy slaw. Or slice them in half, toss in coconut oil, and roast until crisp on the outside, tender on the inside.